Celtics Beat Pistons, 104-98

The visiting Boston Celtics took down the Detroit Pistons on Sunday, 104-98.
Boston (38-21) was up by double digits for much of the game’s middle portion but
saw their lead dwindle towards the game’s end. The Celtics were actually down by
a point with 45 seconds remaining, when a deep three-point miss with time on the
shot clock from Detroit’s Reggie Jackson allowed Boston to take possession and
the lead. On the other end, rookie Jaylen Brown hit a game-clinching
three-pointer while being fouled. Brown finished the night with 13 points on
5-of-9 shooting. All-Star point guard Isaiah Thomas was, per usual, the team’s
leading scorer. Thomas scored 33 points and hit five three-pointers, helping to
extend his streak of games with at least 20 points to 43. As a team, the Celtics
now are on the second-longest streak of games with at least 10 made
three-pointers of all time, as the Cs have met the mark in 17 straight contests.
It was a disappointing night for Detroit (28-31), as the Pistons entered the
game having won five of their last seven contests. It was also the jersey
retirement celebration for legendary Pistons guard Richard “Rip” Hamilton. The
Pistons were unable to treat Hamilton to a win, however, despite a valiant
comeback effort. Perhaps the biggest hang-up for Detroit was free-throw
shooting, as the team went a miserable 16-of-35 from the free-throw line. A big
piece of that was center Andre Drummond, who went just 1-of-11 at the stripe.
Drummond is the worst career free-throw shooter in the league’s history at just
over 38 percent during his time in the association. Boston will host the Atlanta
Hawks on Monday, while Detroit will host the Trail Blazers on Tuesday.